held a position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held a position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's role or job within an organization or context. Example: "She held a position as the marketing director for five years before moving to a new company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

From 1933 to 1936 he held a position at Trinity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the time, I held a position of responsibility at the Washington Post.

The New Yorker

Before he held a position of authority, he saw the importance of inclusiveness.

The New York Times - Sports

He has never run for public office, much less held a position.

Independent

Martin the businessman never held a position lower than vice president.

The New York Times - Sports

After the Conquest, FitzOsbern held a position of the highest responsibility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

India has long held a position of "no first use" of nukes.

The Economist

He insisted that he was unaware that he currently held a position in SGL.

The New York Times

Barack Obama has held a position that is more absolutist than the Palestinian Authority itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Times should have asked whether Mr. Sturza's firm held a position in the company's stock.

The New York Times

Because the Roman Catholic Church supported nationalist aspirations, it held a position of influence in the postindependence period.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held a position", ensure the context clearly defines the nature and scope of the role being described. Provide specific details about the responsibilities or influence associated with the position.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "held a position" without specifying its relevance or impact. Provide context about why the position matters or what the person achieved in that role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a position" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone previously occupied a particular role, job, or office. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where it describes past employment or responsibility. The phrase emphasizes the fact that this role was occupied at one point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held a position" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's past role or job. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using the phrase, be sure to provide sufficient context to clarify the specific nature and significance of the role. While "held a position" is generally neutral, it is more formal than phrases like "had a job". Alternatives include "occupied a post" and "served as". Overall, using "held a position" is an effective way to convey information about someone's previous responsibilities or affiliations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied a post

Replaces "held" with "occupied" to emphasize active incumbency.

served as

Focuses on the action of serving in a particular capacity.

held an office

Substitutes "position" with "office", implying a more formal role.

filled a role

Emphasizes the fulfillment of responsibilities associated with a specific function.

maintained a stance

Shifts the focus to a particular viewpoint or opinion that was maintained.

had a job

Uses simpler vocabulary to indicate employment.

was employed as

Highlights the employment aspect of the position.

occupied a seat

Indicates membership and participation in a group or assembly.

possessed an authority

Emphasizes the level of power associated with the position.

adopted a view

Describes the acceptance of a particular perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "held a position" in a sentence?

Use "held a position" to describe someone's past role or job, for example: "She "held a position" as marketing director". It emphasizes the fact that the person once occupied that role.

What are some alternatives to "held a position"?

You can use alternatives such as "occupied a post", "served as", or "filled a role" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "held a position" or "had a job"?

"Held a position" is generally more formal than "had a job". The former implies a sense of responsibility or authority, while the latter is a more general term for employment.

Can "held a position" refer to an opinion or belief?

While primarily used to describe roles or jobs, "held a position" can also metaphorically refer to maintaining a specific viewpoint or belief, similar to saying someone "maintained a stance".